Decoding Multiple Exposure by Polina Sarri

Double Exposure is a creative procedure that involves a certain amount of thought before you shoot, as well as an ability of prediction, along with creativity and imagination. When I first started using the Multiple Exposure feature on Hipstamatic, it produced quite a few "failures" regarding the final image, mainly due to light and contrast misuse. But after a number of experiments I realized how it all works and how to combine two images successfully into one.

The first layer was the photo of the person: a profile shot against a backlit window with a white curtain, so as not to have any distractions in the background. It is important that your subject is really dark with just a little detail in the facial features.

The second layer was shot pointing at an architectural scene; the dark buildings resulting in portraits with more contrast.

The key is to remember that white areas act as masks and don’t let the image of the second layer appear in the final photo, while the black or dark areas reveal what is captured in the second layer. It is also essential to bare in mind that the position of the subject/object within the frame, from layer to layer, is important in order to best control the final result.

Of course, despite all these precautions, there is always room for a degree of randomness, but that, after all, is the beauty of this technique. It is definitely worthwhile, so go and have some fun with it... I sure did.
Polina Sarri

Great article, thanks!
It might be a useful development of the multiple-exposure feature, if one could “pull” a stock shot back out of the Hipstaprints album to use with something you just saw on the street.

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About me

Hipstamatic is the only photography application I use. I love the way it looks, its rebellious spirit, its edgy, unpredictable side and of course the results it produces. Thanks to Hipstamatic I have rediscovered my love of photography. I would go so far as to say that Hipstamatic has changed my life considerably, day to day. Since I have been using it, I have been travelling the world more and more, with the sole purpose of taking pictures.
I am no great fan of editing images and I have no desire to spend ages changing a photo using the myriad of apps available on the market. Hipstamatic does not produce perfect pictures, but that is precisely what is so great about it. You may take a hundred pictures, one of which will be amazing. It won't require any touching up and it will be truly unique. (Suite...)